Search location by ZIP code

NEWS ARCHIVE

​MerleFest expecting another big turnout after record-breaking turnout in 2017

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 3:08 PM EST Mar 2, 2018

​MerleFest expecting another big turnout after record-breaking turnout in 2017

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 3:08 PM EST Mar 2, 2018

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT JUST A FEW CLOUDS AROUND.WE WILL CHECK IN LOVE WITHSAMINA INGLES.SHE IS AT MERLE FEST ARIAN WEARE -- MERLE FEST.WE ARE THANKFUL WE DID NOT HAVETHE HEAVY RAIN.SAMINA: IT HAS BEEN A RAINY DAYFOR SURE.BUT THAT HASN'T STOPPED MUSICFANS FROM COMING OUT TOMERLEFEST, AND WHY WOULD IT?SO MANY GREAT MUSICIANS HERE,FANTASTIC FOOD, EVERYONE ITALKED TO TODAY, HAVING A GREATTIME.♪THAT WAS MANDOLIN ORANGE YOUJUST HEARD.THE AVETT BROTHERS ON THE MAINSTAGE RIGHT NOW.BOTHY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.AND THIS IS ONLY DAY ONE OF THE4-DAY FESTIVAL.MORE THAN A HUNDRED ARTISTSEXPECTED HERE AT MERLEFEST, THEFESTIVAL NOW IN ITS 30TH YEAR.AND PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THECOUNTRY ARE HERE, REALLY, FROMALL OVER THE WORLD, TO HEAR THEBEST IN BLUEGRASS, FOLCOUNTRY, AND MORE.I EVEN MET A MAN, WHO MADE THETRIP HERE, ALL THE WAY FROMWALES.>> STANDING HERE BEFORE, I WASJUST BOUNCING AROUND, WHEN DELMCCOURY WAS ON.WONDERFUL.>> HAMMOCKING'S REALLY BEEN THEBEST I JUST SIT HERE, LISTEN TOTHE MUSIC, CHAT WITH FRIENDS,IT'S LIKE THE MOST CALMEST TIMEI'VE EVER HAD.>> MUSIC IS A LANGUAGE THATTRANSCENDS ALL DIFFERENCE.EVERYBODY FEELS IT.IT JOINS PEOPLE TOGETHER.WE'RE ALL ONE HERE.IT'S BEAUTIFUL.SAMINA: THE AVETT BROTHERS ARESET TO WRAP UP SOON.BUT TONIGHT'S FUN DOESN'T ENDTHERE -THERE'S A DANCE PARTYUNDER ONE OF THE TENTS HERE, FORTHE THOSE WHO STICK AROUND.AND THERE'S PLENTY MORE IN STOREAT MERLEFEST THIS WEEKEND,LEAVING A LOT OF PEOPLEWONDERING ABOUT THE WEATHER.LANIE: THEY ARE USED TO HAVINGTHE RAIN AT MERL FEST.TOMORROW, SUNSHINE, WARMTEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 80'S.IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE DRIESTDAY AT MERLE FEST.SLIGHT CHANCE OF A SHOWER ANDTHUNDERSTORM BY LATE AFTERNOONEVENING.SUNDAY IS A LITTLE BIT COOLERWITH A FEW MORE CLOUDS, ANDMAINLY SOME LATE DAY SHOWERS ANDSTORMS.

​MerleFest expecting another big turnout after record-breaking turnout in 2017

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 3:08 PM EST Mar 2, 2018

WILKESBORO, N.C. —

MerleFest organizers are expecting another big turnout after a record-breaking turnout last year.

The event was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College.

Advertisement

This year's event will be held April 26-29 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro.

MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, serves as an annual homecoming for musicians and music fans.

MerleFest is a celebration of ‘traditional plus’ music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock and many other styles. The festival hosts numerous artists, performing on 13 stages during the course of the four-day event.

The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Talent submission: MerleFest proactively selects talent through its Artist Relations Team and does not accept or respond to unsolicited talent submissions (including email, voice mail and snail mail).